Jenkins Soffe

Dec 15, 2015 08:35AM
● Published by Bryan Scott

Personal family tragedy played a major role in the events leading to the creation of what is today Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary.

George A. Jenkins, a Midvale barber, and his wife, Annetta Pearl Williams, had lost five children, thus becoming familiar to Bank’s Mortuary in Midvale. As a result of their frequent--albeit unhappy--relationship, the mortician asked George to assist him with funeral services. Over a period of time, this led to the suggestion that the two become partners in the mortuary. On the eve of signing the necessary papers to make the partnership a reality, Mr. Banks passed away and the agreement never took place.

In anticipation of the partnership, George sold his barbershop. Determined that he would become a funeral director, George and Annetta Jenkins decided to open their own mortuary in Murray. His first call was on Dec. 15, 1915.

Twenty years later, in February of 1935, the Jenkins and Soffe families became one. George and Annetta’s daughter, Mary B. Jenkins, and Vaughn C. Soffe of South Jordan, met at Utah State University. Vaughn and Mary married and were blessed with three children: Carol Ann, Jaren and Gregg. Vaughn joined his father-in-law in 1938: thus, the blended name of Jenkins-Soffe.

It’s now 2015, the 100th anniversary for Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Homes & Cremation Center, the oldest business in Murray. As a way to celebrate, Jenkins-Soffe is giving back to the community. They coordinated construction of a new garden area at the Boys & Girls Club in Murray, which was dedicated on Sept. 1, 2015 to memorialize Micah Hansen, a very special 11-year-old boy who died in a tragic drowning on April 17, 2014.

Micah was playing in the pool with his cousins while on vacation in Southern California, when the game they were playing went tragically wrong. “They were holding their breath under water to see who could hold it the longest, when his two cousins noticed that he was holding his breath way too long to be believed,” said Terry Hansen, Micah’s grandmother. After struggling for a few days in the hospital, he passed away. “He could make friends with everybody and was so accepting of everyone he met. He could make friends with strangers within minutes,” his grandmother said. “We are so touched that Jenkins-Soffe and the Boys & Girls Club have done this for Micah and our family.”

Kurt L. Soffe, owner of Jenkins-Soffe, said, “As a young boy the Murray Boys & Girls Club gave me and my friends a positive environment to grow and learn. As our Jenkins-Soffe family celebrates 100 years in Murray, we pay tribute to the positive values offered by the Murray Boys & Girls Club. Micah Hansen was part of that family and we honor his memory for the influence he made in his friends and in the lives he touched.”

With over 100 years of experience and service to the communities of Utah, and five generations of family dedication, the name Jenkins-Soffe represents tradition, commitment to the community, and personalized service to individuals and families. With locations in Murray and South Jordan, and comprehensive experience in all areas of funeral service, Jenkins-Soffe provides affordable options in arranging services. They also offer a grief group on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month at their Murray location. Bring the whole family to see what Jenkins-Soffe is all about at their Live Nativity on Dec. 12. Enjoy hot chocolate, a memory ornament, and the Waffle Love truck at their South Jordan location.